A brand ambassador for Rolex is called a Testimonee, and there is one Rolex Testimonee who has been a brand ambassador for more than forty years. It’s just possible he may be the greatest skier of all time. Jean-Claude Killy was French alpine skier. He was a dominant force in the late 1960s and won three Olympic gold medals, two World Cup titles, and many other races. Killy was also known for his style and flair, which certainly played a role in him ending up a brand ambassador for Rolex.
What was special about Jean-Claude Killy? Killy won three gold medals at the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France, in the downhill, giant slalom, and special slalom events. Killy won the World Cup title in 1967 and 1968. Killy was known for his style, wearing form-fitting racing woolens and accessorizing with shearling jackets, beanies, and mirrored sunglasses. He is a member of the International Olympic Committee and an ambassador, a Testimonee, for Rolex for over 40 years.
There is a watch model nicknamed after him, the Rolex Dato-Compax Chronograph. If you’re a Rolex collector, you’ll call the model the Jean-Claude Killy. It's a complex watch a triple-date calendar with day and month windows. There are three sub-dials, one each at three, six, and nine o'clock. The watch was produced from the 1940s to the 1960s. Killy was often seen wearing the watch on the slopes in the 1950s and 1960s. Although a beloved model, the watch is rare because of its short production run. Today, models of the watch can sell for six-figures at auction.
I love reading about the history of Rolex. Since the company chooses Testimonees who exemplify accomplishment and excellence, I really enjoy reading about the Rolex brand ambassadors as well. I’ll probably never have a Rolex Jean-Claude Killy in my showroom but if you’re looking for a pre-owned Rolex in San Diego that doesn’t sell for a million dollars or more, give me a call. You can also stop by my La Jolla showroom. If I don’t have the model you’re looking for in stock, I can probably find it for you.
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